‘Pretty much this,’ I replied.
‘Fair enough.’
‘You?’
Seb gave a slow wave over himself to indicate his own plans involved about as much movement as my own. I smiled, enjoying the fact that my friend, who was, in general, a pretty active guy, didn’t judge me for my choices and wasn’t averse to the pleasures of an evening’s sofa-vegging himself.
‘Did you see that new comedy has just come onto Netflix?’ I asked.
‘Oh yeah. I saw the email. Have you watched it yet?’
‘Nope,’ I said through a yawn.
‘Want to watch it later?’
This was something we’d begun to do around six months or so ago. Watching the same thing at the same time, messaging comments to and fro while we watched. It was nice. Silly but fun. Like having company even though you were on your own – four pawed friends excepted.
6
Having now freed up some time thanks to my new saying no policy, I decided to go ahead with some things I actually did want to do. At the time, this had seemed like a good idea. Peeking into the room now, I wasn’t so sure.
‘Ooh, are you here for dance classes too?’ A vivacious looking woman with Hollywood curves and a mass of auburn curls which she’d piled messily, but sexily, on top of her head kind of ushered me in the door along with her and I lost my last chance of scooting out of there before anyone noticed.
‘There you are!’ Jess rushed forward, Harry being propelled along behind as he held onto her hand. I don’t think Harry had been entirely prepared for the amount of energy my friend kept balled up inside her at any given moment, but he seemed to be coping admirably and, from the look on his face, thoroughly enjoying it.
‘Here I am,’ I replied, attempting to inject the same level of enthusiasm, but feeling like I somehow fell short. Hopefully no one else noticed.
‘What’s the matter?’ Jess asked, not fooled in the slightest. ‘I thought you wanted to do this? It was your idea, remember?’ she said, softly.
‘Yeah. I know,’ I smiled, trying not to be put off by the fact that everyone around the room already seemed to have partnered up. ‘I’m just not sure it was one of my better ones.’
‘Oh, nonsense,’ Jess said. ‘You’ve wanted to learn to dance for years. I’m thrilled you’re finally doing something about it. I can’t believe I didn’t think about putting this on the list for last year.’
‘I’m glad you didn’t. I barely survived as it was.’
‘Oh, pffft,’ Jess batted me on the arm. ‘You loved it.’
I stared at her for a moment.
‘OK. Maybe not loved it exactly.’
‘Definitely not.’
‘But you did it!’
‘Because I love you. No other reason.’
‘And I love you! Which is why we’re here now.’
I returned her hug. I wasn’t entirely convinced that was the only reason Jess and Harry were here now, although it was a good start. Jess had always loved the drama of Latin dance and had toyed with doing something about learning on and off for years, but she was always too busy doing something else. But when I’d mentioned I’d found some classes and had signed up, Jess’ enthusiasm was fired again. Even more so when Harry agreed to come with her and learn so that they could dance together.
I was thrilled he was so supportive and up for doing it, I really was. But I couldn’t help feeling like a large, green, slightly fuzzy piece of fruit as I stood next to them and they practised gazing meaningfully deep into each other’s eyes.
In my pocket, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out and saw the light flashing. Pressing the messages, one from Seb showed unread. I glanced up, but it didn’t seem like we were starting, so I quickly opened it.
Just to say hope it goes well tonight. Enjoy yourself!
I replied.
